[Chopper]

While walking down the street in Houston with a client on our way to lunch we were approached by a young man. He told us his daughter was very sick and he didn't have the money to have a prescription filled. The person I was with had apparently heard similar stories before. He offered to have the prescription filled at a drugstore down the street. The young man said "never mind" and walked away. If I had been by myself I might have given him some money. Lesson learned.

[2BNTV]

Many years ago, I was walking with my son when in New York City and a panhandler asked for a $1.00 to buy something to drink. I noticed he had a bottle of whiskey in his hand.
My son questioned why I didn't give him the dollar he asked for and I replied, "that will enable him to further destroy himself". It would be legitimate if the panhandler were to use the monies given to them for a useful pupose.
My heart goes out to those who are truly in need and are trying to straighten their lives out. I prefer to donate to charities where the bulk of the donation goes to the charity and not for administration fees.
Unfortunately, there are many people who are homeless who need help.
IMHO - There is nothing wrong in trying to help someone but some people want others to enable their behavior. You can't help people who don't want to help themselves.

[jebartle]

A couple of months ago at the Walmart on 441, there was a young boy, clean cut, around 10-12 years of age, that was standing behind a lady that was sitting on the ground panhandling, I can only assume (that has gotten me into trouble b4) she was his mother....I'm sure this made a lasting impression on the young man..."Why work, it's easier to beg"...I know in these tough economic times there are real needs, but like previous threads, I've noticed them being dropped off in vans in groups at that intersection...Not sure what the solution is!...I'm sure it will continue until the well dries up!

[Redtail]

Originally Posted by MelZ

A few years ago I was approached by a young man across from Penn Station in NYC. He said he was hungry and hadn't eaten in a day.

I bought him a hot dog which he proceeded to try to sell.

Don't give to give in to them, the only job their interested in is ...........

PANHANDLING

I donate to reputable charities instead

i have a difficult time believing all panhandlers are bad people. when time permits at an intersection i will occasionally hand out a dollar bill and ive always been thanked in a friendly way and even more importantly i always get a warm and fuzzy feeling!! i come from humble beginnings and cant help but feel for these people.

[beartrack]

I think the bottom line here is to inform everyone we know, that no matter how these panhandlers appear, or where they appear, do not give in. They will try every means to get you to give them money. They will use the elderty, children, dogs, you name it. My fear is that in our litigious society, what would happen if you accidently hit one of them with your car at a crowded, busy intersection? Would it be your fault for being distracted or their fault for distracting you? Would it be the drivers fault for hurting one of them in the course of a fender bender of some sort, or would it be their fault for being in the middle of the street. I think that before this scenario befalls one of us, we should all be calling the Sheriff's office to ask to have them removed from the middle of the street. I will make my call today.

[beartrack]

Redtail, You sound like a very warm hearted, generous person. But I think your generousity is misplaced. Most of us come from humble beginnings. I was born in, and raised on, the mean streets of Brooklyn NY. Trust me, I know all about "Humble beginnings" I get "Warm and fuzzy when I give money to The Salvation army or at church or working in a soup kitchen or delivering meals on wheels" Or when my son tells my he just got home from doing a "Freedom flight' with a WW11 Veteran. There are lots and lots of ways for you to get that "warm and fuzzy feeling" without contributing to people that can get all the help they need without begging and endangering others. I hope for your sake that the next person you hand money to doesn't bite that hand. There are some very bad characters out there and you only encourage them by giving them money, thereby putting us all at risk.

[pauld315]

I can only remember a couple of times I have given money to "beggars" and all 3 tomes were worth it.

1) Years ago, I was in LA on business and a lady came up to me and asked me if I had any money that I could give her to help feed her and her little daughter. I handed her a 5 dollar bill and watched her and her daughter go directly into a small deli and order something to eat.

2) I was in Poland (again on business) and one evening this lady approached me. She was actually emaciated. Her drawn face still haunts me to this day.In her broken English, she asked if i had any money I could give her. I gave her 5 zloty (equivalent to about $1.35) She also went right to a street vendor and ordered something to eat.

3) The third time was in San Francisco by the wharf while we were on vacation. One guy there had a sign that said something to the effect "I need a beer". I said to myself that at least he was being honest and gave him a couple dollars !

Nowadays, when I get approached, I just tell them that I don't carry any cash, which is almost true since I use my debit card for just about everything.
I had one lady the other day in Raleigh yell at me from across the street asking if I had 10 dollars to give her....sorry don't carry any cash !

[Redtail]

Originally Posted by beartrack

Redtail, You sound like a very warm hearted, generous person. But I think your generousity is misplaced. Most of us come from humble beginnings. I was born in, and raised on, the mean streets of Brooklyn NY. Trust me, I know all about "Humble beginnings" I get "Warm and fuzzy when I give money to The Salvation army or at church or working in a soup kitchen or delivering meals on wheels" Or when my son tells my he just got home from doing a "Freedom flight' with a WW11 Veteran. There are lots and lots of ways for you to get that "warm and fuzzy feeling" without contributing to people that can get all the help they need without begging and endangering others. I hope for your sake that the next person you hand money to doesn't bite that hand. There are some very bad characters out there and you only encourage them by giving them money, thereby putting us all at risk.

dont judge the whole world by NY......

[beartrack]

Originally Posted by Redtail

dont judge the whole world by NY......

This must be a joke, right? What's the punch line????

[Walt.]

Back around Christmas 1972 I was walking along on my lunch hour when a well dress (and attactive) girl came up to me and gave me this story about having lost her wallet and needing just a few dollars to get home (to New Jersey). She,of course, would be sooo grateful and would mail it back to me. Unfortunately for her I had noticed he hit up some other guy a few minutes earlier and declined. Good scam though... you figure "well... she's well dressed, young... doesn't look like some bum." And a lot of young guys would like to play the big shot for this "helpless girl."

A few months later I was taking my daily lunch-time walk when the same girl came up to me. Before she started I said "What?? You're still trying to get to New Jersey??" She was startled said something like "Never mind" and nailed some poor sap about a minute later. I couldn't help myself; I went over to her when the guy was gone and asked how much she made at this "job." Her answer was (and not said in a mean way) "More money than you'll ever see."
Walt.

[Forsyth]

Yes, I've seen panhandlers work as a team. In addition, as a E.R. nurse, currently working out of FL, but seeing the best and the worst, I'd like to throw in my opinion. I, too, have given people at intersections, as my "good deed of the day." However, I also see these type people, either as Medicaid or self-pay never-to-be collected. They get, at the goverment's direction, the best medical treatment that hospitals provide and are transferred to another facility for specialized care, no questions about payment has ever stopped the receipt of the best medical care. Helicopter transport where I'm currently working is $12,000 to a hospital 40 miles away. But I can't even go to an Urgent Care without "permission" from the insurance company and co-payment. Families will sell foodstamps for profit. Cell phones, manicures, pedicures, hairdos, tattoos. People come into the ER every day with moans and groans, demanding treatment of this or that ailment, then I take the drug screen and it turns up positive for cocaine. Where do they get it and how do they pay for it?? Another situation that's setting my teeth on edge: Many organizations give out free school products now. I don't remember anybody ever giving us school supplies, in addition, my father had to buy my textbooks from grade 7 to grade 12. He worked in a factory making about $30/week. No one is giving my grandchildren anything.
I'll come down from my soapbox now.....

[redwitch]

I'm one of those who does give to panhandlers. Yes, it is a job for them, but it is not an easy job. Heck, I clean houses, weed yards amongst other things. I frequently come home exhausted and it's still easier work than what these people do. I'm not in the hot sun hour after hour. I'm not sucking up exhaust fumes nor being cursed at by others. And I'm not standing at an intersection praying some idiot doesn't accidently or deliberately (yes, that has happened) try to run me over.

There are reasons these people don't have regular jobs. Sometimes it is a criminal record. Sometimes it is sheer laziness. More often, it is mental illness (bipolar being the most common). Plus, most truly are homeless and it is next to impossible to get a job without documentation and a current address, especially today.

In San Francisco, I would stop at Starbuck's every Friday on my way home and pick up all the food they were going to throw away. I would stop and give some to every panhandler I saw on my way to the BART station. In 5 years, there was only one who turned down the food. I ended up getting to know a few of them quite well. Some of their stories were heartbreaking; some were of the you got what you deserved variety; some were more or less of the oh well variety. Regardless, they were human and I could help them.

Today, if I have the spare change I will give it to the homeless. How they spend it is their business. Some will use it for nourishment; some for booze or drugs. I also donate to the local food kitchen and a few other local charities. What I will not do is give to the con artists who feed me a line (like the scam of needing to get home). You stand or sit with your sign, you get from me. You try to talk to me, I walk away. You have a table and chair in front of a store and a sign for a charity I've never heard of, not a dime. Bell ringers, every bit I can muster every time I see them.

I understand those who can't/won't give to panhandlers. I understand Nonie's absolute need to give to the pup. I understand those who give only in special circumstances. Personally, I don't think there is a right or wrong in giving to panhandlers, whether on a street corner, off ramp or wherever. We all have to do what is right for us.

[l2ridehd]

If you give money to these folks, you are enabling there behavior. Stop doing it and they will go away to some other corner where there are more suckers. These people make more money doing this then they would working. That is why they do it. And yes I know, some are really in need and do this to survive. And that is the sad part. Because so many have decided this is an easy way to make a living, others suffer. It's like those that take as many government handouts as they can find even though they really don't need them. Then those that really do don't get the help they need. The emergency room example used above, because it is so abused by those taking advantage of the system, those that need help in an emergency struggle to get the help they need.

So just continue to give the handouts to these people and the next time you drive by there, there will be more of them. Why not? It works.

[salpal]

Many beggers and homeless are veterans. I personally do not care if they take my money and buy booze or cigarettes. The dollar or two I hand them is not going to endanger my lifestyle. You can say all you want about how I am encouraging them to be unhealthy, blah, blah, blah, I don't care, I feel sorry for them and that is just me.

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by nONIE

It seems there are always "will work for food" People by the Walmart on 44l. Last winter one of them had a tiny chichuahua puppy with him that looked emaciated. Thats where my resistance gave in . I went into Walmart and bought it enough dog food to last for a long long time , I tried to resist giving the beggar money bought thought "ten dollars isnt going to kill me".

Guess I must learn to be alot tougher in these situations but I know if theres an animal involved I will never be strong!

Yes wise men know about puppy power and it's influence over women (and man)

L and L